Strange weight loss

Hello, its the first time I post here!

I've been trying to lose weight for the last few months, its been a veeery slow process though, with ups and downs. I thought I was only 5 pounds away from my goal weight, and this past month I've just maintained (despite my efforts to lose!)

So yesterday I went to the chemist's because I had been suffering severe constipation for a couple of weeks (yes, that is 15 days of not going #2!). I know, I will increase the fibre in my diet. 

The point is, he gave me some laxatives to take. It was the first time I had ever taken anything like that, and let me tell you I have never seen anything as effective. I stepped on the scale this morning and I had dropped 8 pounds. That is, I am 3 pounds under my goal weight (celebrate or freak out?!).

So my question is, is this just water weight? Will I gain all the weight back tomorrow? If it was real weight loss, should I eat maintainance calories now, or was it all an illusion and I still have to lose 5 more pounds?

Thank you very much for your advice.

Well done for reaching your goal!

I think the sudden drop in weight was def from going no2. Its all just added to the weight you've been measuring. So you've actualy been losing more fat weight than you realised.

I often find that a couple of days of not being able to go (only if I eat wheat mind!) the weight does just drop off when I do go.

As long as you continue to eat right and exercise, and go regulary, then it shouldn't come back.

Make sure you're drinking penty of fluids too!

Your weight after using the laxatives would be your true weight. If you had not been able to use the bathroom for 2 weeks all of the food you ate was not fully digested and gotten rid of. You were carrying that all around. So you did not loose weight over night you simply got rid of what was trapped in your digestive tract. That was adding to your "scale" weight.

How much water are you drinking and are you eating a clean/balanced diet. Not being able to go to the bathroom for 2 weeks is a problem. You need to find out why that happened and take steps to prevent it.

Make sure you are getting enough fat in your diet too. 

Oh great, thanks!

I just freaked out thinking it was water weight or something and that i'd gain it all back. Maintainance, here I come!

May I ask, what does fat have to do with not going #2? That's curious no?

Thanks again!

Fat = ''Grease the wheels''

:p

Have you ever heard the phrase "running like a well oiled machine"?  That's one of the reasons why good fats are important; as a lubricant for that machine we call the Digestive system.

I read an article which showed a human can hold up to 40 pounds of waste in their colon in severe cases.  Holding on to waste is dangerous for a human as toxins and poisons will be recirculated thru the blood.

As long as you stay regular you will not suddenly gain back all your weight, unless you eat big and never go to the bathroom again for days.

Constipation is a serious problem.  And in my opinion is easily avoided with a all natural food balanced diet.  Cleansing of the colon, liver and kidneys is easily achieved with adding more water, right cereals and grains to your diet. 

Try to have at least 2 BM a day when your on any weight loss program.

IF YOU WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT in my opinion You have to avoid fat consumption.

Castor olive oil works well if constipated.  But eat a well balanced diet to include veggies, fruits, fibre rich grains and cereals plus drinking enough water for your body mass...should do it and it is all natural...no pills or fat required.

Avoid white fat, found in red meats( beef & pork), avoid white sugar and reduce salt consumption(the human body will get by on 1 tsp of salt per day...that is not much!!)   

Sorry massage guy - you are behind the times.  NO fat is dangerous as many of our bodies systems rely on fat for hormone production and the absorbtion of various vitamins.  Moderate fat intake (of the good sorts) is highly recommended by the medical community.  Opinions do don't matter on the issue.  Science prevails in all things health. 

Obviously saturated fat and transfats are no go.  But up to 30% of the diet can come from good fats - monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.  These include olives, avocados, nuts, seeds, olive and canola oil and fish. 

Eat the right fats but mind the calories.

I also had a period of over a week without a bowel movement. I called my doctor and she told me to take fiber, so I have been taking a tablespoon of Metamucil a day for nearly a year now and haven't had any further problems!

Original Post by themassageguy:

IF YOU WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT in my opinion You have to avoid fat consumption.

Castor olive oil works well if constipated.  But eat a well balanced diet to include veggies, fruits, fiber rich grains and cereals plus drinking enough water for your body mass...should do it and it is all natural...no pills or fat required.

Avoid white fat, found in red meats( beef & pork), avoid white sugar and reduce salt consumption(the human body will get by on 1 tsp of salt per day...that is not much!!)   

 Wrong. Fat Not required???? You are giving dangerous advice. Without fat your body is unable to absorb vitamins. Fat does not make you fat. Fat is more calorie dense than some other foods so you have to measure/weigh your portions. Transfat is the only fat you want to avoid and the only fat you do not need. Telling someone to avoid eating fat is dangerous and should not be done.

Saturated fat

Saturated fats raise your total cholesterol levels as well as LDL cholesterol. It clogs your arteries with plaque, which increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. Saturated fats are found in things like animal products, meat, dairy and also some plant products. Everyone gets some saturated fat and a small amount is needed but it is best to limit your intake of saturated fat.

Trans Fat

Trans fats are not natural. Trans fats come from hydrogenated liquid oils. Trans fats are found in products such as packaged foods, fried foods, margarine, some vegetable oils and fast foods.

Trans fats offer no health benefits at all and unlike other types of fats, our bodies do not require transfats. Transfats also raise your LDL cholesterol levels and decrease your HDL cholesterol levels which is the good cholesterol. Studies have been done that may also link transfats to diabetes, cancer, obesity, heart disease and stroke.

Monounsaturated Fat

Monounsaturated fats have been found to lower total blood cholesterol levels (LDL) while increasing good (HDL) cholesterol levels.

Monounsaturated fats are found in foods like nuts, canola and olive oil, avocados, pumpkin and sesame seeds and some other foods.

Polyunsaturated Fats

Polyunsaturated fats have also been found to have positive effects on cholesterol. Sources of polyunsaturated fats are seafood, fish oil, soy products, corn products, safflower and sunflower oils and pumpkin seed.

 Omega-3 Fatty Acids

I am a huge fan of Omega-3 fatty acids. Studies have shown that these fats have been beneficial in treating many types of diseases such as depression, anxiety disorders, ADD and OCD, helps to prevent clogging of the arteries, reduces bad cholesterol levels and many other things. Sources of Omega-3 fatty acids are most kinds of fish, tuna, herring, mackerel, trout and salmon. Also found in foods like walnuts and other nuts, tofu, flax seeds and canola oil.

You can buy supplements that contain Omega-3 fatty acids. Flax oil, fish oil and salmon oil are all good sources.

http://www.dietbites.com/article1097.htmlhttp://www.wisegeek.com/is-it-possible-to-eat -too-little-fat.htm

http://www.muscleblitz.com/fat_phobia.htm

http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/Handouts/facts_a bout_fat.htm

Original Post by themassageguy:

I read an article which showed a human can hold up to 40 pounds of waste in their colon in severe cases.  Holding on to waste is dangerous for a human as toxins and poisons will be recirculated thru the blood.

As long as you stay regular you will not suddenly gain back all your weight, unless you eat big and never go to the bathroom again for days.

Constipation is a serious problem.  And in my opinion is easily avoided with a all natural food balanced diet.  Cleansing of the colon, liver and kidneys is easily achieved with adding more water, right cereals and grains to your diet. 

Try to have at least 2 BM a day when your on any weight loss program.

 

Sorry massageguy but more bad advise... do not TRY to have 2 BM a day. If having two is normal for you that's fine but one a day is enough. You don't want to put yourself in a situation where you're taking laxatives or fiber supplements to cause 2 BM a day... again one is fine. Talk to your Dr. before taking any advise you get on a website.